Ajaya by Anand Neelakantan Summary

Ajaya: Roll of the Dice is a mythological retelling of the Mahabharata from the perspective of the Kauravas, traditionally viewed as villains. The book narrates the epic events through Suyodhana's (Duryodhana's) viewpoint, portraying him as a passionate, principled crown prince who challenges caste discrimination and fights for merit over birthright. It chronicles the childhood and youth of both Kauravas and Pandavas, culminating in the fateful game of dice where Draupadi's fate hangs in balance.

Anand Neelakantan is one of India's bestselling mythological fiction authors with over 15 books to his credit. He pioneered the genre of retelling Indian epics from antagonists' perspectives, starting with Asura: Tale of the Vanquished (Ramayana from Ravana's viewpoint). His notable works include the Ajaya series, the Baahubali trilogy (prequel to S.S. Rajamouli's films), Vanara, Valmiki's Women, and Nala Damayanti. He's also a screenwriter for popular TV series and a columnist for The New Indian Express.

Ajaya: Roll of the Dice is worth reading for anyone seeking a fresh, thought-provoking perspective on the Mahabharata. The book challenges conventional narratives by humanizing the Kauravas and questioning the absolute morality of the Pandavas. Readers appreciate Anand Neelakantan's nuanced characterization, exploration of caste discrimination, and the power of perception theme. However, those deeply attached to traditional Mahabharata interpretations may find this alternative perspective controversial, as it portrays Krishna and Pandavas in negative shades.

Ajaya: Roll of the Dice appeals to readers who enjoy mythological retellings, alternative histories, and morally complex narratives. It's ideal for those interested in Indian epics from fresh perspectives, social justice themes, and questioning established narratives about good versus evil. The book suits readers who appreciate character-driven storytelling, philosophical debates about dharma and caste, and nuanced portrayals of historical antagonists. Fans of Anand Neelakantan's previous work Asura will particularly enjoy this continuation of his perspective-shifting approach.

In Ajaya: Roll of the Dice, Anand Neelakantan portrays Duryodhana (called by his birth name Suyodhana) as a compassionate, principled hero rather than a villain. He's depicted as a revolutionary who challenges the caste system, believing merit should determine status rather than birth. The book shows his unwavering convictions, such as when he crowns Karna as King of Anga despite priestly opposition, making him Arjuna's equal. Even when Arjuna steals his love Shubadhra, Suyodhana doesn't retaliate, respecting her choice.

The central theme of Ajaya: Roll of the Dice is the power of perception and how history is written by victors. Anand Neelakantan explores how the same events appear dramatically different depending on whose perspective we adopt. The book prominently addresses caste discrimination, with Suyodhana questioning norms that elevated a few while condemning others to poverty based on birth. Additional themes include merit versus birthright, the consequences of rigid dharma interpretation, and how political manipulation shapes historical narratives.

Shakuni in Ajaya: Roll of the Dice is portrayed with unprecedented nuance as a tall, handsome, intelligent strategist rather than the typical short, harsh villain. Anand Neelakantan reveals Shakuni's deep motivation: burning revenge against Hastinapura after Bhishma destroyed his kingdom Gandhara and forced his sister Gandhari to marry the blind Prince Dhritarashtra. His masterminding of the dice game using loaded dice made from his father's bones becomes an act of calculated vengeance rather than mere villainy. This recharacterization makes him a tragic antagonist driven by justified fury.

Ajaya: Roll of the Dice contains powerful philosophical insights, most notably Acharya Kripa's wisdom to Karna: "Life is a gamble. You do not know how the dice will fall. But once they have, how you move the pieces is in your hands". This encapsulates the book's theme about accepting circumstances while taking responsibility for your choices. The book also features profound dialogues on caste system origins, explaining how it was initially designed for societal function but became corrupted into oppression. These lessons emphasize agency, questioning social constructs, and understanding multiple truths.

Ajaya: Roll of the Dice concludes with the devastating aftermath of the rigged dice game between Yudhishthira and Shakuni. Playing with loaded dice crafted from his father's bones, Shakuni ensures the Kauravas win repeatedly until the Pandavas lose everything—land, property, caste status, and their shared wife Draupadi. The book ends on a cliffhanger with Draupadi being summoned before the Kaurava court, her fate now in their hands. This sets the stage for the sequel Ajaya: Rise of Kali, released in July 2015.

Jaya represents the story of the Pandavas told from the victors' perspective after Kurukshetra. Ajaya (meaning "unconquerable") is the narrative of the Kauravas—the defeated side whose version was silenced by history. Anand Neelakantan emphasizes that Jaya became the accepted truth because winners write history, while Ajaya gives voice to those condemned to villainy. This binary naming underscores the book's central argument: every story has multiple truths, and moral judgments depend entirely on whose perspective dominates the narrative.

Both Ajaya: Roll of the Dice and Asura: Tale of the Vanquished follow Anand Neelakantan's signature style of retelling Indian epics from antagonists' perspectives. While Asura reimagines the Ramayana from Ravana's viewpoint, Ajaya does the same for the Mahabharata through Duryodhana's eyes. Both books introduce fictional common-man characters—Bhadra in Asura and Jara (a beggar with his blind dog Dharma) in Ajaya—to provide ground-level perspectives on epic events. Readers who enjoyed Asura's moral complexity and questioning of traditional narratives will find similar thematic depth in Ajaya.

Ajaya: Roll of the Dice is controversial because it reverses established character moralities, portraying Duryodhana as righteous while showing Pandavas and Krishna in negative light. The book challenges Hindu scripture's definition of dharma, suggesting it merely upheld caste oppression rather than universal righteousness. Anand Neelakantan's interpretation that Krishna manipulated events and Pandavas acted unethically shocks readers conditioned to view them as virtuous heroes. Critics argue this revisionism disrespects sacred texts, while supporters praise it for questioning blind acceptance and exposing societal hypocrisies embedded in traditional narratives.